Shelf and rack door hinge



SHELF AND RACK DQ OOOOO GE Feb, 14, 1928;

W. N. vANcE SHELF AND RACK DOOR HINGE 1919 3 Sheets-'Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 13.

Feb. 14, 1928.

. 1,659,305 W. N. VANCE L SHELF AND RACK DQoR HINGE original Filed peg, 15, 1919 5 Sheets-sheet 5 Patented Feb. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

W'ALTER N. VLNCE, OF GHCAGO rinisnrs, iLLINoIs, AssIGNoRTo DURAND STEEL SHELF AND RACK noon HINGE.

Continuation of application SerialNo. 344,585, led December 13, 1919. This application filed August 18,

This invention relates in general to shelv-' ing, racks, lockers .and the like, and has more particular reference to the provision of door closures for shelves, racks like. p

fr principal object of the invention is the provision of door closures for shelves and the like which may be readily positioned on shelving already erected and not designed particularly to 'receive such `door closures, and this without reforming the shelving parts or the provision of complicated, cumbei-some or unsightly attaching or other auniliary members.

She ving, and particularly metal shelving, is usually provided so that the shelves may be adjusted vertically at different distances one above the other, being on this account adjustably supported from frame uprights or partitions. My present invention from certain aspects contemplates the use of the shelf receiving portions `of said unrights tov facilitate attachment of the dizor, and the invention has for a further and highly important object the provision of door closures which may `interlock with the front-to-back sides of the uprights and preferal'ily in the openings or other agencies provided in the uprights for holding the shelves, and this while at vrthe same time permitting unrestricted adjustment of the shelves in the space closed by said door closures. i

The invention has for a further object the provision of doors which may be provided in the shelves afterthe shelves are lerected and Without requiring even temporary removal of the shelves or the unloading of them as an incident to the attachment of the doors.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a door closure for shelving and the like having `hinge connections adjustable lengthwise of the space to be closed by the doors and lengthwise also of the doors themselves.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved sheet metal hinge connection for hingedlysupporting the doors, which connection will be of simple, strong and durable character and of economical manufacture.

and the i Serial No. 130,034.

Another important object of the invention is the provision of means for locking one'orl more doors to readily adjustable shelves, and this without limiting the range and free dom of adjustment of said shelves.`

Another object of the invention is the provision of a door closure and a hing-e connection to shelving to which the door is attached, which will byreason of its construction and the manner of attaching it to the frame permitv of the use of relatively light material to attain the necessary and desired strength, rigidity and durability.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a shelf closure which may be provided to exten-d merely over a part` of the shelf assemblage without marring 'the appearance of the whole assemblage and which may be shifted to other parts of the assembly or added to by the addition of other closures.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following description, which taken in connection with the accompanying drawings discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure l is a front elevation of a portion of a section of the shelves provided with a door closure embodying my present invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken substantially on the line 2-2 0f Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a section taken the line 3-3 of Fie. 2; v

Fig. t is a diagrammatic view of a blank cut to appropriate form to form a hinge connection; i i

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a hinge connection formed from the blank shown in Fig. 4;

Figs. 6 and 7 are side views of one of the fastening bolts used to retain the hinge in closed position; v

Fig. 8 is a view taken substantially on the lineS-S of Fig. l; Y

Fig. 9 is a section taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the latch substantially on member adaptedifor attachment to one of the vertically .adjustable shelves; and Y Fig. 1l is a partial perspective detail ot the companion latch bar carried by the door itself. y.

For the purpose of illustrating the inven tion I have shown on the drawing a portion otmetal shelving comprising tubular nprights Q1 connected by :liront-to-bacll: partitions 22 and also by front and haelt bearings or cross-snpports 23. l'he uprights 2l are provided in their front-to-back sides with regularly spaced slots 24:, each oitl which in the present instance is composed ot :i lower smaller tapered part 25 and an upper slightly larger tapered part 2G and a top enlarged opening 27. The cross-supports 23 correspond in number with the number oi" shelves employed. The ends olf' the crosssupports are located or wedged tightly in the lower slotparts :'25 ot' appropriate slots and upon them rest the edges of the shelves 28. `The shelves 23 have parts engaged at or near the bottom of the intermediate slot parts 2G. `Beyond the bearers the shelves are preferably bent down at- QS) and brunt; upon themselves again at 3l to provide edges 32 disposed closely adjacent the bottorn of the bearers 23. 'lhese shelves are adjustable and arrangeable at irregular intervals between the nprights by moving the cross-supports and the shelves to produce engagement with desired or appropriately located slots 24:. So much ot the shelving is shown on the drawing as has just been dcscribed is well lrnownV in the ar to which this invention relates being disclosed in numerous earlier patents to me, and made in the 'form shown on the drawing by my assignee, Durand Steel Locker Conniany. More particular description ot it is vnot therefore thought to be necessary.

The shell' section shown on the drawing is adapted to be provided with a door closure comprising doors 33 and 3l hinged to adjacent uprights and overlapping at the center to close the space therebetween and throughout any given or desired portion vertically of the shelf assemblage. The hinged sides of the two doors 33 and 34; are identical in the present instance and a description ot' the hinge arrangement of the one door will apply to the other. y

Each door is of sheet metal and at its hinged side is bent back at right angles at 35 to provide an inwardly extending part 31S and therebehind isbent to substantially semi-circular form as indicated at 37, the. semi-circular portion 3T lornring with the body et' the front wall a recess or internal bearing for the hinged connection. The ei:- treme edge 38 is spaced baclr from the front wall an appreciable distance :tor a purpoe to be presently described. l

Corresponding to the distance between the slots the material of the curved portion 37 of the door is cut away as indicated at ""f :escasos the arrangement being such that theme ed away parts may be disposed accurately opposite or adjacent the intermediate slol parts 26 or' the slots .f2/l when the door is in proper position. The hinge member is shown in Fig. and consists ot' a gie sheet oit metal bent to provide an elongated cylln drical part l1 from which an arm fl-:i er tends and this arm is reinforced hy llai i3 at its sides. The edges oli the linnnl are cut away at to accurately lit the lade faces ot the tubular upriglits fil and a bolt receiving opening located in position to come opposite the Vertical center olf the slot- 24.

rfhe blank from which this hinge monili-er is constructed is shown diagraininalicalh: in Fig. Il. d

Frein this ligure it will be noted that the blank is o t T torni, the head nlli ol' the T being the part forming the cylindrical portion ll of the hinge member, and l' ie tail 47 thereof forming the arm 'll flanges ot course are extensions oll i le side ot the body oi the arm and are mit .d Li8 at their ends ironi the part lll and beul up on lines ot bend ell! to bring them lo the desired parallel relation sl'iown iu AFin'. The outer edge ot' the head 1l- (3 ot the blalilt f slotted at 5l to permit this edge ot the blah. to be bent around and einla'ace the :wijfie-ein" ends oi' the ilanges i3 in the slots.` 'lhe diamo er or' the cylindrical part -ll is such that it lits neatly within the recess ii'ornwi! between the curved part 3i and the bode of the door. The flanges ilil are ol .auch width that they may be arranged between the oder 38 ot' the bend of the door and the liodv nd slid lengthwise therebetween to l hinge connection vertically into desi d relan tion with any of the slots .lhis slidinaf movement. however, can only occur when the hinged member laid haelt against the door as indicated in dotted lines in Fin'. Il. This relation cannot be A srliurd the aasuinefl when `the hinged members are secured to the up* rights tor the reason that at such times the door is unable to assume the substantial parallelism with the hinge arms shown hv reason ol the shelves and cross bearer; he# ing in the way as will he readily moderar-local.

Each hinged member is fastened to an upright by a bolt 52 having an oblong head 53. rthis head may he inserted through the in terinediate part ot the slot and `thereailfter turned to dispose the longer axis lmrirontally as is indicated in Fig. The bolt thus arranged extends through the v@onlinr 45 and receives a nut 54: to .tasten the hinge member tightly in place. In the `lorin ot the invention shown on the drawing the hinge member may thus be secured to any ot the slots whether the particular slot engaged by the hinge member be actually supporting Shelves or not. The hinge members may thus be positioned in any convenient slots lill lllll lill? without disturbing the vertical adjustment of the shelves or requiring any particular formation ol' the tubular uprights. It will, ot course, be understood that it is not necessary to the invention trom several aspects that the arrangement be such as to permit a shell and hinge connection to be engaged in the saine slot at the same time.

The two doors are provided with inwardly extending i'langes 55 and 56 at their adjacent ends and the one is caused to overlie the other in the present instance by securing an angle iron 57 to one of the door iianges 55, the horizontal ange S of theangle iron being arranged to overlie the body of the other door.V

Means are provided tor latching or locking the doors in closed relation and this means as shown on the drawing is attached to a carrier and toone or more of the shelves. A metal strap of desired Width is bent at 59 and til to provide an upper hori aontal part and an intermediate down Ward and forwardly inclined part 63 and a lower horizontal operative portion Gli. The parts 62 and Se are provided with pertoia tions and to receive fastening bolts ironi the shell. 'llhis shelll latching inember is secured in place as may be seen by viewing liigs. 8 and 9 and with the upper horizontal part resting against the underiiace ot the shelf 98 andthe lower horizontal part resting against the undertaces ot the cross bearer 23 and sheltedge 32, bolts al d extending through the shelll and through the openings and 6G of the tch iiieinhcr. The openings in the shelt1 )ugh which these bolts entend may be openings provided 'lier other purposes as tor example the reception of fastening devices 'i shelt dividers and shell partitions or 'they may not as conditions may render ein perdent.

il latching bar 7i, having keyhole slots lil, is preferably positioned behind the outer overlapping door and against its flange 55. rl"his latch is held slidably in position by pins or headed rivets 73 which may enter the large portion or the keyhole slots and have sliding` engagement in the smaller. A number et lips "4 are struck up and extend out trom the latch bar in position to engage upon and behind a hooked arm 75 forming a. continuation ot the part 64 of the latch member, this arm terminating in bent up portion T5 torming the hook. A struck up lip Te is provided adjacent each possible sl'ieltl position when the shelves are carried in the slots that the latch bar may be ened by a latching member supported in of the supporting slots. A portion 7'? oi stop and enra-tch member terms a door the inner edge of the iiaiige 55 of the inner door thus preventing the edges of the shelves 'from coming in contact with the th e door flanges and preventing inarring of the shelves through the presence oit' the doors, 'lhe latch bar is adapted to be raised and lowered in manipulating the door by the handle '78 disposed outside and having a pair of inwardly extending lips 79 disposed through slots iii the door and secured by bolts or screws 8l with the latch bar.

lt will be manifest that both the hinge action and tlielocking action ol' the door readily permit ot' lull freedom `of shell adjustment and that the parts may all be assembled in the shelving without requiring removal of vany ot the shelves or even their unloading. `The hinge connection is such that the forces sustained by it tallV along the plane ot the arms or' the hinge members and transversely of the bolts 59 so that there is little likelihood et damage to any ot' the pa ts and they7 may therefore be safely made ot lrelatively light material.

This application is a continuation of my prior application Serial No. 344,585, tiled December i3, 1919. 4

lt is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood trom the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the to in, construction and rangement ot Vthe parts without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention or sacriticing all o'f its material advantages,

the form hereinhelore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

l claim:

l. rl hinge construction for doors and the lire, comprising, a door trame having slots iu a side thereof, a door mounted in said 'trai-ne, and an adjustable hinge for connecting said'dooi' and said trame, said hinge being movable lengthwise in the door to interlocking engagement and attachable at a slot in the trame. j j

2. il hinge construction 'for doors and the like, comprising, a trame having a plurality ot slots arranged at spaced intervals, a door having slots correspondingly arranged, and

a hinge for connecting said door to said 'traine and arrangeable in corresponding slot-s in each.

i hinge construction for doors and the like, comprising, a vlrame having a plurality ofi slots arranged at spaced intervals, a door having slots correspondingly arranged, and a device formed to provide a hinge connection between said door and said frame and for engagement in the slots in said door.

l. A hinge construction for doors and the like, comprising, a door, and a hinge connection carried thereby, said hinge connection being slidable lengthwise or' the door and movable to an operative position and interlocked with said dooi` iii adjusted position.

5. A hinge construction tor doors and the CIK llO

like, comprising, a door, and a hinge connection for mounting said door in a frame, said door and hinge connection having inutually curved interlocking parts arranged to provide a hinge.

` 6. A hinge construction for doors and the like, comprising, a door, and a hinge connection for mounting said door in a frame, said door and hinge connection being of sheet metal having mutually curved and interlocking parts arranged to provide a hinge.

7. A hinge construction for doors and the like, comprising, a door having a curved edge, and a device slidably embraced in the curved edge oi" the door, and arranged for attachment to a support to provide a hinge.

8. A hinge construction for doors and the like, comprising, a door having a curved and slotted edge, and a memberslidably mounted in the curved edge oi' the door and movable into the slotted edge thereof to cooperate with the door to provide a. hinge.

9. A hinge construction for doors and the like, comprising, a door having a curved and slotted edge, and a member slidablv mounted in the curved edge of the door and movable into the slotted edge to provide an operative interlocking and adjustable hinge part.

10. A hinge construction for doors and the like, con'iprieing, a door, a hinge connection carried thereby and movable "lengthwise into a plurality or interlocking relations, said connection having a pivoted movement with respect to the door beyond the normal move ment oi the door in opening and closing, and saidconnection being slidable lengthwise of the door When in position beyond said door movement and held in interlocking relation with the door While Within the door 1novement.

ll. A hinge construction for doors and the like, comprising in combination of a frame part, a door, and a hinge member i'or supporting the door upon said :trame part, said hinge member comprising a sheet metal part folded to provide a 'cylindrical portion engageable with a cooperating part on the door and an arm protruding from said cylindrical portion and adapted lor attachment to said trame part.

12. A hinge construction ior doors and the like, comprising in combination oi a traine part, a door, a hinge member for supporting the door upon said 'frame part, said hinge member con'iprising a sheet metal part lolded to provide a Jylindrical portion engageable with 'a cooperating part on the door and an arm protruding from said cylindriial portion and adapted for attachment to said traine part, and n'ieans Ator securing' said arm to said traine part in various selected vertical positions.

A hinge construction for doors and the like, comprising in comliination et a trame part, a door, and a hinge member lor supporting the door upon said trame part, said door haring an inwardly extending curved ilange and said hinge member comprising a vertical tubular portion arrangeabie within said curved liange and an arm extending through a slot in said l'lange and attaehable to said frame part.

llf. Ii hinge construction ior doors and the like, comprising in eon'ibination of a frame part, a door, and a hinge member tor snpporting the door upon said traine part, said door having an inwardlyP toLtending curved flange and said hinge nienibcr comprising a vertical tubular portion zii-rangeable within said curved flange and an arm extending through a slot in said flange and atlachable to said 'trame part, said member being vertically lnovahle with respect to the door when arranged in predetern'iined position relative thereto.

WALTER N, VANCE.

Sil 

